Chapters 1 - 9 Summary

In Chapter 1, Banesville, New York, is an upstate community known for its apples. The Apple Blossom Festival is fast approaching, and Bonnie Sue Bomgartner, the Apple Blossom Queen, is sick to her stomach. Hildy Biddle, who works for the Banesville High newspaper, "The Core", notes that Bonnie Sue, if sick, will not be able to be the Queen. Mrs. Perth, a school office worker and head of the festival, assures Hildy things will be fine, and demands Hildy not write anything about Bonnie Sue's problems in the paper, because Banesville has had enough problems. Mrs. Perth tells Hildy she is just like her father. Hildy's father, a reporter, has died three years before the events of the book, and Hildy cannot understand why God has taken him. Hildy also recounts flying over the apple festival with Luss Lustrom, who gives tours...